A dangerous game

The metallic taste of blood still lingered in Lyra's mouth as she stared at the cell's ceiling, her wrists raw from the chains that had held her for days. The darkness had become a constant companion, broken only by Kael's infrequent visits-each more intense than the last. He was trying to break her, but if she had learned anything from being on the run, it was how to endure.

The door creaked open, and Kael stepped inside. His presence filled the small space, a shadow that loomed over her even without words. His dark green eyes gleamed with something unreadable as he looked down at her. She sat up slowly, ignoring the burn in her arms, her expression defiant.

Kael's lips twitched, almost amused by her resilience. "Still defiant, Lyra?" he said quietly, his voice smooth but cold. "I wonder how long that will last."

She didn't answer, her gaze locked on his. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the barely concealed frustration. He wanted control, needed it, but she wasn't going to give it to him. Not willingly.

"Get up," he ordered.

She stood slowly, her body stiff and aching, but her expression never wavered. As she stood, Kael took a step closer, his gaze trailing over her face, lingering on the bruises that marked her skin. His hand reached out, almost hesitantly, and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture was strange-softer than his usual touch, yet it carried the weight of his control.

"You'll come with me tonight," he said, his voice low.

Lyra's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression neutral. "Where?"

He didn't answer, instead reaching down to unlock the chains that bound her wrists. The cold metal clinked as it fell to the ground, and for the first time since her capture, she was free of her restraints. But freedom in Kael's presence was an illusion. His dominance filled the room, his unspoken authority pressing down on her as heavily as the chains had.

Without a word, he turned and motioned for her to follow. Lyra hesitated for only a moment before stepping after him, her mind racing. She hadn't left the cell since she had been captured, and now, walking beside Kael, she felt an eerie sense of exposure.

He led her down a narrow hallway, the walls lined with stone and lit by dim torches. The air was thick with the scent of earth and dampness. As they moved, Lyra noticed other members of Kael's pack watching from the shadows. Their eyes followed her, a mixture of curiosity and suspicion in their gazes. She didn't belong here, and they all knew it.

Kael's stronghold was far more complex than she'd imagined. It wasn't just a fortress-it was a world of its own, hidden away from the outside, deep in the heart of the mountain. The halls were labyrinthine, leading to rooms filled with maps, weapons, and pack members whispering among themselves.

Finally, they reached a large open chamber. The space was lined with wooden beams and stone pillars, with a large circular table in the center. Lyra's eyes widened as she took in the scene. Sitting around the table were several wolves in their human forms, all watching her and Kael with predatory interest.

"Sit," Kael commanded, his hand resting on her shoulder as he guided her to a chair at his right.

Lyra didn't have to be told that these were Kael's lieutenants-his inner circle. Their gazes were sharp, assessing her as if she were prey, but Kael's silent command kept them from speaking. She could feel the tension in the room as their attention flicked between her and their Alpha.

"We have business," Kael said, addressing the room. "But first, you'll all acknowledge Lyra Blackwood."

There was a ripple of unease. Her last name carried weight, even here. Her bloodline wasn't just known-it was respected, feared even. The Greystone Pack had been one of the most revered packs before its fall. Now, she was the last of them, and Kael's claim over her made the others uneasy.

One of the men-a tall, broad-shouldered wolf with piercing blue eyes-leaned forward, his gaze locked on Lyra. "And why should we acknowledge her, Alpha? She's a prisoner, not one of us."

Kael's eyes darkened, his jaw clenched. "She is mine," he growled, his voice low and dangerous. "And you will respect her."

Lyra's heart pounded. Kael's possessive claim made her stomach twist, but she knew better than to react. Instead, she held the blue-eyed man's gaze, refusing to be intimidated. She could feel the tension in the room shifting-Kael's authority was absolute, but it was clear that his pack didn't understand why he was protecting her.

A low chuckle came from the corner of the room. Lyra's eyes flicked toward the sound, and her stomach dropped when she saw Marcus, Kael's Beta, lounging against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the exchange.

"Careful, Kael," Marcus said, his voice mocking. "If you're too soft on her, the pack will think you've gone weak."

Kael's hand tightened on the back of Lyra's chair, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. But Marcus wasn't finished. He pushed off the wall and stepped toward the table, his eyes flicking to Lyra with a predatory grin.

"We all know what happens when an Alpha

lets himself get too...attached." Marcus's voice dripped with insinuation, his gaze sliding over Lyra like she was a possession he could take. The tension in the room thickened, and for a moment, the air felt heavy with the threat of violence.

Kael's growl was low and dangerous, but Marcus wasn't intimidated. In fact, he seemed to revel in the tension, testing the limits of Kael's control. "You should be careful, brother. We wouldn't want the pack to lose respect for its Alpha, now would we?"

Before Lyra could react, Kael's hand shot out, grabbing Marcus by the throat and slamming him against the wall with a force that shook the room. The other wolves stood quickly, but no one dared move. Kael's face was inches from Marcus's, his eyes burning with fury.

"You will never question me again," Kael hissed, his voice cold and sharp. "Or I'll tear your throat out myself."

Marcus's lips curled into a dangerous smile, despite the grip around his neck. "You'd kill your Beta over a girl?" His voice was strangled, but his tone was taunting. "Interesting choice, Alpha."

Kael's grip tightened, and for a moment, Lyra was sure he would follow through with the threat. But then, just as quickly, Kael released him, letting Marcus fall to the ground. The Beta rubbed his throat, coughing, but the smug look never left his face.

Kael didn't bother looking at him again. Instead, he turned to Lyra, his voice calm once more. "We're leaving."

Without waiting for a response, he grabbed her arm and led her out of the room, his grip firm but not painful. As they walked, Lyra could feel the tension radiating from him, but she didn't ask any questions. She was still processing what had just happened.

Kael had defended her. Publicly. Violently.

What did that mean?

Outside in the Courtyard

The cool night air hit Lyra's skin as they stepped into the courtyard outside the stronghold. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silver glow over the stone walls. Kael released her arm, but he didn't move away, his gaze locked on the horizon.

"You're a fool if you think you can manipulate me," Lyra said, her voice low but steady. She couldn't ignore the way her heart had pounded during the confrontation in the chamber. The way Kael's protectiveness, however warped, had made her feel.

Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable. "You mistake survival for manipulation," he said quietly. "I need you alive, Lyra. And I need you to know that no one-no one-touches you without my permission.

confrontation in the chamber. The way Kael's protectiveness, however warped, had made her feel.

Kael turned to her, his expression unreadable. "You mistake survival for manipulation," he said quietly. "I need you alive, Lyra. And I need you to know that no one-no one-touches you without my permission."

Lyra's chest tightened. She hated the way his words stirred something inside her- something dark and twisted, but undeniable.

She hated him.

But beneath that hate, something else was growing. Something she wasn't ready to face.